A Touch of Darkness

Hades & Persephone Series, Book 1

By: Scarlett St. Clair

Narrated by: Meg Sylvan

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist.

Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible.

After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever.

The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows - and it's forbidden.

Contains mature themes.

©2019 Scarlett St. Clair (P)2020 Tantor

loved but

I love this story I have read all the books multiple times. my only complaint is having one narrator. I wish they would have had a male for hades.

good story

I found the way in which the women reads the romantic senses uncomfortable and awkward. I ended up having to skip the parts all together, I however loved the book its self

The book I couldn’t put down... but had to

This book is beautifully written, the story of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorites.... Although I never liked how young she was in the original story, most re-tellings of the story make it almost predatory with the age difference, naive traits, and power imbalances. But Charlotte’s story telling makes you see the God of the Underworld and The Goddess of Spring in a different light. The writing is jaw dropping, modern, and addictive.

It is a romance novel, so I definitely had to stop listening when I was around others because I would start blushing by how intense their moments are. But 100/10 would recommend for all listeners over the age of 18. I can’t say enough great things about it

A Mythical Masterpiece

This is a 5-Star Journey into Love and Deception!
🌶🌶🌶
This retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth is an absolute gem for mythology enthusiasts! The seamless blend of mortal and godly worlds, coupled with the enticing allure of forbidden love, creates a captivating narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The characterization is phenomenal, especially Hades, who transcends the typical dark and ruthless stereotype. His swoon-worthy moments and the palpable chemistry with Persephone make this a love story for the ages. The slow burn is expertly crafted, adding layers of tension that erupt into a fiery climax.

The narrative's flow is impeccable, and the adult twist on the classic tale is a breath of fresh air. The inclusion of gods like Zeus, Poseidon, Aphrodite, and Apollo adds depth, and the side characters, including Hecate, Sybil, and Ian, are brilliantly portrayed.

I'm also going to highlight, the protagonist, Persephone, as a strong and relatable character. Her journey from a sheltered goddess to a woman navigating love and deception is both empowering and emotionally resonant.

I will express a desire for more clarity in certain aspects, such as Demeter's motivations and the fate dynamics, demonstrating an engaged and thoughtful reading experience. The bonus chapter about Minthe the mint plant is praised for its entertainment value.

While the ending is critiqued for its abruptness, it leaves the reader eager for more, a testament to the author's skill in crafting a compelling narrative. Overall, this book is a delightful exploration of mythology with a modern and adult twist, earning it a well-deserved spot on the re-read list. Can't wait for book two!

Obsessed

Low key obsessed!
Read all three books in a week. I really loved re-listening to this one while reading Hades side. It was an easy read and I just loved the characters. I can’t wait to read more from Scarlett St. Clair. I hope she continues this series.

Fun read

This book was much better than I anticipated and It only took me a couple days to finish because I couldn’t stop listening! The narrator is AMAZING and brings all the characters to life. Also like the spice in it 🔥I’m downloading the second book now!

Love it!

I loved this sooo much! Persephone and Hades are my favorite couple. Honestly it kinda reminded me of fanfiction which has always been my guilty pleasure. Can’t wait to read more!

A must listen (with AirPods if you’re shy)

Such a great story! Love her take on Hades and Persephone’s love story. Gives a modern take on a classic story. Definitely has its raunchy scenes. Had to throw on my AirPods since I would listen to it at work.

A touch of I’m here for it.

I really enjoyed this book. At first, I wasn’t super obsessed with the fact that it was more present day, but I found that made the storyline and the God’s interactions and dynamics much more interesting as it went on. I liked that there was actual research done and added to the story. It gave me ACOTAR vibes, without the whiplash love interest. I didn’t mind the smut, but it for my taste, I wasn’t obsessed with the narrator sounding like she was also smutting it up with them. I also appreciated that the first assumption of how to break her curse turned out not to be how she broke it. Overall I recommend!

Awesome

Loved it, great story. Love seeing Hades in this light. Can't wait for the next one.